Wayne County is moving forward with the construction of the new Fremont Elementary School. 

The county Board of Commissioners and Board of Education have met and tried to clarify the price and payment for the new elementary facility for the northern end of the county. 

Wednesday, WCPS Superintendent Dr. David Lewis asked the commissioners to amend their spending plan and be ready to pay up to $23 million for the new school.

Dr. Lewis says that’s based on the estimated project cost in the needs-based grant and the actual cost for similar projects in Onslow County.

The county had received a grant with $15 million in state funds for the new school.

Wayne County would need to match at least $5 million for that grant.

Dr. Lewis says the county may need to contribute up to $8 million for the local match.

Commissioner Joe Daughtery was worried potential contractors could get the wrong idea on the final price tag if the county was willing to build a $23 million school

Commissioner Chris Gurley says the two boards need to stop the back and forth because the school needed to be built regardless of the cost.

In the end, the county commissioners voted 5 – 2 and approved the amended agreement for the Fremont Elementary School’s construction.